Greetings all! The last 6 weeks have been very productive - planning next season, quite a bit of traveling, and chamber music galore. I am back in Dallas for the final week of the year, and just arrived from Ohio. Last week, I played a children's concert for several fifth-grade classes in Northeast Ohio - I was amazing at how many questions they had, and their high level of enthusiasm! I think many were shocked when I admitted to having Rihanna and Christina Aguilera on my ipod as well...Also last week, Anita and I played the Brahms Sonata cycle at Kent State (about ten days after I did the cycle in Dallas), following a fun (at some points hilarious) televised interview beforehand. We concluded the concert with two Hungarian Dances as encores, and I am looking forward to playing there in the near future (perhaps a showpieces concert...)The rest of the week was filled with people-seeing, getting caught up on practicing (for the two recitals I took part in here in Texas), and hitting up my favorite spots around town. It's always nice to return to the same jaunts with fun people (including seeing the Cavs girls at one nightclub), and the ultra-friendly staff of various places on Coventry. When I return to Cleveland next week, I'm sure the usual gang will be at various west side venues ... looking forward!

Having grown up in Cleveland, all of this warm weather and bright sun in the South is intoxicating. It is hard trying to remain focused on work when outside, the weather couldn't possibly be nicer (or more suited to poolside recreation). In 2 weeks, I am going to the Cayman Islands for a week of chamber music, and I honestly haven't a clue as to how much practicing or rehearsing will get done. Then, immediately after that, my friend (and cohort in crime) Evan Fein and I are doing a private benefit recital for EMC Artists in Cleveland, Ohio. The program looks like it will include works by Schubert, Beethoven, Fein, Chopin, and Brahms...those in Cleveland for Memorial Day weekend...let me know and perhaps you could make it to this event!

More to come in the near future, including next season's performances (with Brahms concerto and sonatas, Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Mozart, and others), highlights from the Cayman Islands (including links and pictures), and more regularly updated blogs!